Picture Book of the Day: Booker T Washington

February 22, 2013

African-American History Through Picture Books

February is African-American History Month and it pays tribute to the generations of African-Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. One way kids can empathize with the obstacles that African-Americans faced and continue to face, is through books.

This year’s theme for African-American History Month is BlackWomen in American Culture and History. Please share any favorite picture books, chapter books or Young Adult books that you enjoy that teach us about the African-American Experience.

My daughter’s friend Devin told me about Chains and Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson. She just finished Forge and recommends them for ages 9 and up.

Slaves were denied an education and punished if they learned to read and write. Young Booker T. Washington lived during the transition from slavery to emancipation and was given the opportunity for an education from an educated black man while also working a dangerous job in a coal mine. As a teenager, he dreamed of more. He journeyed over 500 miles by foot, working along the way, to attend Hampton Institute, a boarding school for African-Americans. To pay for his tuition, he worked as a janitor, and still he continued to dream. Eventually, Booker T. Washington founds the Tuskegee Institute, becoming one of “the most famous and respected black men in America.” [advanced picture book, ages 6 and up]

p.s. I have more books for children on The Civil Rights Movement and Black History Month:

As Fast As Words Could Fly: Picture Book of the Day. Ruby Bridges came to visit my elementary school and her story is contrasted with 14-year-old Mason Steele who used his typing skills both as a writer and a speed typist to prove that he had the right to attend a previously all white school.

14 Comments

I love that Booker T. Washington really fought for his education. We tend to take it for granted! Great review and the suggestions for older kids sound good too!Jackie Higgins recently posted…Tips for Learning Letters in Meaningful Ways

Thanks Barbara,
His early determination to seek out and really fight for an education was new to me too. I’m really enjoying learning about all these great books and people during Black History Month!Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Picture Book of the Day: Booker T Washington

I’ll have to grab this book- I realized when I saw the title to this post that I knew absolutely nothing about Booker except for his name. I love advanced picture books- They’re just about the right speed for me to learn little blips about people I want to know more about but don’t have the patience for a whole biography on.Jeanette Nyberg recently posted…iTooch Elementary School App

Hi Jeanette,
I love the illustrations too! You don’t get that in adult biographies and it totally makes the experience richer! Yep, I am the same. Getting my biographies from picture books! I do love advanced picture books too because it works for all ages kids — there is something appealing for everyone and I can read it aloud and everyone is happy!Pragmatic Mom recently posted…In Mad Pursuit of Sharon Creech

Download a free lesson for teaching this book at teacherspayteachers.com. I fell in love with this book when I visited the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore, MD. The illustrator, Bryan Collier was opening his exhibit and the pictures immediately drew me in. I loved the inspirational theme in the book!

Hi Sherece,
Thanks so much for the heads up on the TeachersPayTeachers unit for the Booker T. Washington picture book. It is nice to know that his story is coming to life. He’s such an admirable role model for kids. I wish I lived near the Reginald F. Lewis museum but hopefully the exhibit will swing by Boston soon because I would love to see the Brian Collier exhibit!!!Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Kitchen on Fire and Fire Safety

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